Talks between Ethiopia's ruling party and opposition groups on how to resolve tensions over parliamentary elections broke down Friday after the two sides failed to agree on an agenda.

Two main opposition groups, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, released a statement blaming the ruling party for inflexibility.

Talks began earlier this week, after the opposition backed down from a threat to begin anti-government strikes against an official declaration that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling party won the May 15 poll.

The opposition has rejected the results, claiming massive fraud.

International monitors, including the European Union, have expressed concerns about aspects of the vote, including ballot counting and post-election investigations.